Disclaimer: I don't own the A-Team and I make no money from this.
Chapter 33 Catching the Jazz
"Katie, half the camp witnessed it."
Leia stared at her friend in consternation. Why did she have to be so thick where that damn pilot was concerned? Surely now it was obvious even to Kate that HM Murdock was totally hung up on Sydney Wilson.
And that was another thing – Kate's insistence on befriending that strange woman. Leia just did not understand it.
Kate gave a breezy wave of her hand, as if shooing away an annoying fly. "You're getting all worked up over nothing. I was the one that went and got HM. I told you I was there, remember? He and Syd are good friends and Syd needed… well, she needed a good friend."
"But –"
"As for half the camp witnessing 'it'," Kate interrupted, wiggling her fingers in the air, "most of them don't even know what 'it' is and should just keep their mouths shut."
Leia was at a loss as to how to respond to that diatribe. The rumor mill was abuzz with the story of how the new female recon agent had lost it in the women's shower. No one seemed to know the reason, but the few glimpses she had gotten of Sydney in the last couple days were telling. Leia looked at her friend curiously.
"So, what did happen, Kate? Is it true that Syd went psycho in the shower? Why?"
Kate sighed and dropped onto the bed. "She lost it… a little, but she seems to be coping pretty well now. HM said she just needed some time."
"But you still didn't tell me why," Leia insisted.
"Because I don't really know, Leia, and I feel that it's wrong to add my conjecture to the lies that are already being flung about. Syd hasn't shared with anyone – even HM. But you've seen her. She was attacked and then somehow got away. No one really knows more than that and I think everyone should stop spreading rumors and just leave her alone."
Leia shrugged. "You're right, but you know that in the absence of information people are going to fill in the blanks with their own wild stories, Kate."
"I know. But if Syd doesn't want to talk about it that's her business. She's not one to much care what other people think of her." Kate sighed. "Sometimes I wish I could be more like that."
Leia chuckled. She'd never mastered that particular skill herself.
"Amen, sister."
mmmmm
"Hey, sweetheart."
Looking into the nurses' barracks through the screen door, Murdock could just make out Kate's familiar form.
"HM!" Kate waved at him and then turned to her friend, "I'll talk to you later, Leia."
He stepped back from the door and leaned on the deck railing, waiting for Kate who appeared less than a minute later.
"How's Syd doing today?"
"She's nearly back to herself," he said. "She even agreed to go out to dinner with the Team tonight… after a little bit o' persuasion."
Kate's gaze strayed behind him. She sauntered to his side and took his hand, her smile alluring.
"You can be very persuasive, Captain." She reached up for a lingering kiss and then pulled him down the steps. "Come on, let's go for a walk."
"Lewis?" Murdock asked quietly, lips barely moving.
"Cartwright," Kate whispered, gripping his hand in both of hers and leaning her head on his upper arm. "That guy gives me the creeps. He's worse than Lewis. They're like your shadows lately."
Murdock had a hard time not laughing at the flirtatious smile Kate fixed him with while she spoke. There was no doubt in his mind that he'd had a bad influence on the honest, sweet little nurse. Catching a glimpse of Cartwright out of the corner of his eye, Murdock sobered.
"They been creepin' 'round outside Syd's hooch, too," he murmured, a smile pasted on his face. "Lew's just waiting for me to try something. It's like living under a fucking microscope."
"Just a few more days and we'll be in Hawaii," Kate said with a squeeze to his hand. "Jak's all in and I talked to Daddy. But I still need to get Syd on board."
Again, he was amazed by how adept Kate was at the scheming aspect of this little plan of hers. She had everything set, down to which rooms they'd be staying in on the Island. He still saw one big problem with the whole house of cards, though.
"Syd's gonna be a tough nut, sweetheart."
"Especially considering that she avoids me every time she sees me," Kate said. "I absolutely hate being all lovey dovey with you where she can see, but with Lew or his stooge watching all the time, I don't see a choice."
Murdock smiled. Though he felt bad about it too, the one thing the last couple days had convinced him of was that he hadn't been dreaming in Cam Ranh. Syd still cared about him. A lot. Her barely-controlled irritation whenever Kate showed up was evident and telling. Syd hadn't strung two civil words together for the nurse since her return.
"Well, I'm thinking tonight is the night," Murdock said. "Syd should be relaxed and in a good mood when we get back from dinner. It's going to be the perfect opportunity."
Dropping into the lounge chair, Murdock grunted when Kate hopped on his lap. She laid her head on his shoulder and snuggled into him.
"If you say so, HM," she said quietly. "But I could use some pointers for getting her to talk to me. I've been unsuccessful so far."
He sighed as he wrapped an arm around Kate. He had a few ideas for her, and they had found this pose pretty handy for ensuring privacy for these little scheming sessions.
But he couldn't help wishing she was Sydney and they were doing something other than scheming.
sssss
"Ready for dinner, Syd?"
Sydney looked up from her desk and smiled at the handsome face looking in at her through the screen door. Either Face or Murdock had remained by her side for most of the last seventy-two hours offering unwaivering support. They had proven themselves to be true friends.
The more outspoken and pushy of the two, at least in this circumstance, Face had been the one to lobby for a meal with the Team. Murdock had sat quietly by while Face had listed all of the reasons Syd needed to get out of her hooch and join them. She had eventually agreed to dinner the following day, more to get Face to shut up than because she had any real plans to go. It had been a relief when the self-satisfied conman had finally left to 'make arrangements.'
Then Murdock had started in on her, in his quiet, persuasive way. He had offered the most compelling arguments for the outing. The one that had finally gotten to her was his entreaty to allay the fears of his teammates, who he said all wanted to see for themselves that the woman they had adopted as a little sister was really doing ok.
She had no argument that could counter that reasoning and had resigned herself to going. It wasn't that she didn't want to see the guys. She did. She was just hoping like hell Kate didn't tag along. It was getting to the point that even brief glimpses of Kate and HM together made her feel physically ill. It was obvious that HM had moved on and was happy with Katie. Intellectually she could tell herself that it was for the best – that HM belonged with Kate – would be happy with Kate. But her stubborn heart was having a very hard time accepting the glaring reality.
"C'mon, Syd, or we'll miss our reservations!"
Startled from her thoughts, Sydney chuckled, "I'm coming, Face."
As Face disappeared from view, she went to check her appearance in the mirror. Mindful of her fading bruises, she had selected a t-shirt and button-down to hide the worst of the green-gray shadows. While she didn't care what people thought, she also didn't want to draw a lot of attention to herself. The dark smudges under her eyes were even starting to fade, and she looked almost normal – whatever that was. She looked good enough for the mess hall, anyway. With a satisfied shrug at her reflection, she headed for the door.
j
When she stepped out of her hooch, though, her jaw dropped. The entire Team was there, including Hannibal. She nearly burst into tears at the sight of the six men waiting patiently in a row outside of her quarters. It was the first time she'd ever seen any of them in uniform and they all looked quite dashing. Hannibal was the one who stepped forward, clearing his throat in an uncharacteristic show of uneasiness.
"SA Wilson, it's good to see you up and about." Extending an elbow toward her, he added, "Shall we?"
Not trusting herself to verbalize, she gave the colonel a consenting nod and took his arm. She was surprised when Hannibal led the way to the Officers' Club. They entered not through the front, but through a side entrance and were ushered into a small, private room.
Hannibal escorted her to the head of the table and pulled out the chair. After she had taken a seat, he stepped to the seat on her right. The men lined up, three on each side of the long table, and then at a nod from Hannibal they sat in unison.
To her immediate left, HM's voice rose above the shuffle of all of them settling into their seats. He spoke to his friend who was seated to his left.
"So, Face, what's on the menu tonight?"
She couldn't help thinking HM looked particularly handsome in his uniform. When she realized she was staring she deliberately looked away only to meet Hannibal's amused gaze. Embarrassment at being caught caused a flash fire in her cheeks.
Meanwhile, Face was answering, "Filet mignon with portabello mushrooms in cabernet sauce, baked potato and a fresh garden salad. I think I've hit a home run, if I do say so myself."
"An' ya al'ays do, pretty boy, youns al'ays do," Gravy said with a laugh from his seat at the end of the right side of the table. Across from Gravy, next to Face, BA giggled in response.
"Explain to me, again, how the enlisted men get to join us at the Officers' Club?" Face said sourly.
"Grow up, all of you," Ray said from his seat between Hannibal and BA. "This is Syd's night. Don't ruin it by getting us all kicked out of here."
"We better not get kicked out," Face said. "Not after what I gave them in trade for this little soiree."
"I thought we agreed we weren't going to get into that while the guest of honor was present," HM muttered to his friend.
At the same time, Gravy looked at BA and shook his head, "See wha' I mean. Kid's gotta shove it in our face."
"Enough."
One word from Hannibal was all it took to stop the bickering in its tracks. Jaw clenched, Hannibal pinned each of his men in turn with an intense look before speaking again.
"It is becoming more and more obvious to me that this Team needs a real vacation. What I want to know is, is that by design or by accident?"
His shifting gaze settled purposely on Face, who managed a cajoling smile in the face of his CO's obvious irritation.
"A little bit of both?"
Hannibal's obvious struggle to maintain a stern expression failed. He laughed and shook his head. "Kid, it's a damn good thing I like you."
"No shit," Gravy said in agreement.
Casting a quelling look at the Cajun, Hannibal said, "That goes double for you, Sergeant."
Sydney had been doing her best to contain the near hilarity that was causing her shoulders to shake silently, but the snort that escaped at that last comment was totally uncontrollable. Six heads turned in her direction and try as she might, she just couldn't stop. Hannibal cocked a questioning eyebrow at her.
Choking down her laughter, she managed, "I'm sorry. It's just… you guys crack me up." She dissolved into giggles.
Hannibal's responding voice was flat. "Glad we could entertain you."
"I do believe that li'l sis is laughin' at us," BA said gruffly.
The Team spent a few seconds exchanging looks before busting out into guffaws, which just pushed Syd further over the edge. It was the first real laughter she had enjoyed in at least a couple of months and she was eternally grateful that she was getting to share it with this particular group of men.
In that moment, she felt like the luckiest woman in the world.
hhhhh
Hannibal looked around the table thoughtfully as the dinner dishes were cleared. His team had fallen deep in conversation about Ray's latest idea. While Face and Ray went back and forth about the design and availability of needed parts, BA and Gravy were discussing issues related to assembly. Always the multitasker, Murdock offered insightful suggestions regarding changes to the design to address assembly sticking points.
Syd appeared to be listening politely, but she was proving difficult to truly engage, even for Murdock. Based on discussions with his two youngest officers, he knew she was having trouble coping with issues that the recent assault had dredged up from her past. He had gone to Lewis with his own thoughts on getting Sydney the help she needed, but the agent had told him that formal therapy had already been offered and refused. If Sydney wasn't going to slit her wrists, then she was going to be allowed to work her issues out on her own.
That seemed less a solution and more a copout, so Hannibal had decided to take things into his own hands. Face was the one who had first raised the subject of some R&R in Hawaii, and Hannibal thought it was a red-hot idea. Unfortunately, he was taking a lot of flak over his request. Not because Morrison didn't agree that his team deserved the leave, but because he was dead-set against SA Sydney Wilson tagging along. The knowledge that Lewis was behind the denial really pissed Hannibal off.
Hannibal's gaze landed on Murdock and lingered. In the midst of a technical discussion with Ray, the young man's intellect and versatility were patently obvious. But Hannibal was also slowly coming to respect the more cunning aspects of his pilot's multi-faceted personality.
When he had told Murdock about the problems he was having obtaining a pass for Sydney to join them in Hawaii, Murdock had been predictably angry. But the reaction had seemed very mild and Hannibal had a sneaking suspicion that Murdock was up to something. The pilot seemed far too acquiescent about this particular conflict with Lew. That worried him.
Lew'd had Murdock in his crosshairs since Hannibal could remember, and Sydney's appearance on the scene had done nothing but heighten the conflict. Whatever Murdock had up his sleeve, Hannibal just hoped that it didn't provide the ammunition Lewis had been waiting for. Because Hannibal had no doubt that given the opportunity, Lew would take Murdock out without flinching.
Hannibal's job was to make sure said opportunity did not present itself. He stood and touched Sydney's shoulder.
"I'd like to talk to you, Sydney."
Syd's brows drew together, but she nodded. "Ok."
Murdock started to stand when Sydney did, and Hannibal looked at him. "Alone, Captain."
It only took a look from Hannibal for Murdock's automatic protest to die on his lips. The pilot sank back into his seat as Hannibal escorted Sydney out of the club.
They walked outside together in silence. Hannibal pulled out a cigar, lit it and took a long draw, all the while watching the young woman. Though he hadn't spent a lot of time with Sydney, his team had taken her in as one of their own and that was good enough for Hannibal. Each of his men set high standards – not just for themselves but also for the people around them. As quickly as Syd had been assimilated, he figured she must have made the grade easily.
"What did you want to talk about, Hannibal?" Sydney asked.
Hands tucked into her back pockets, expression curious but guarded, Sydney gazed at Hannibal steadily, awaiting an answer.
"I imagine Murdock or Face have told you about the Team going to Hawaii."
Syd shrugged. "It had been mentioned as a possibility."
"I'm afraid I haven't had much luck convincing Morrison that you should come with us."
Smiling ruefully, her tone was matter-of-fact when she responded.
"Well, there's your mistake. Morrison isn't the one you have to convince. Not that persuading Lewis directly would be any easier. In fact, I'd say it's pretty much a lost battle." Syd flashed him a tight smile. "I really appreciate the effort, though."
"I didn't say I'd given up."
The intensity in those blue eyes was unsettling, even to the seasoned Hannibal Smith. He held the gaze without flinching, wondering what was going through her head.
"Why?"
Though surprised by that simple question, Hannibal answered without hesitation.
"Because, Sydney, whether Lewis likes it or not, you're part of my Team."
It took her a moment to process that. Her gaze narrowed.
"But I haven't really done anything for the Team." She gave a self-deprecating smile. "Though they've done quite a lot for me."
Hannibal chuckled. "That's the great thing about being part of the Team, Sydney. We don't keep score."
She glanced away, gaze tight, guard definitely slipping. Hannibal put a hand on her shoulder and caught her eye.
"We also don't charge admission. You're in, kiddo. We have your back."
At that, her guard came all the way down, and the sincere gratitude Hannibal recognized in her face made him smile.
"That means a lot to me, Hannibal. But Lewis isn't going to bend on the Hawaii thing. I'm pretty certain of it."
Hannibal's hand dropped and he nodded. "I realize that. But I'm not above a work around. I just don't want either of us caught flat-footed…"
"You're worried HM is cooking something up."
"Exactly! And he won't talk to me about it."
"He hasn't said anything to me about it, either," Sydney said. "Do you think he's working with Face?"
"That was my first guess, but Face doesn't usually shut me out like Murdock tends to. Face swears he isn't aware of any behind the scenes planning, but he's more than willing to help."
"Of course he is." Sydney sighed, and her next glance was calculating. "I'll talk to them about it tonight. Don't take this the wrong way, Hannibal, but I'd prefer to handle the planning and execution of this one myself – without the Team's help. It's safest that way."
"Safest for whom?"
Hannibal looked at her narrowly. Hadn't he just finished assuring her she was part of the Team? In a situation like this they always stuck together. That was critical.
"For HM… and all of you," Sydney said. "If Lew finds out, he needs to believe I acted on my own. That's easiest to leverage if I do act on my own. I don't want the Team's fingerprints all over it."
"We can help you, Sydney."
"I know you can, Colonel. But you shouldn't. You have to trust me."
"This has nothing to do with trust," Hannibal said, more sharply than he intended. "We leave for Hawaii in two days and I want you on that transport, SA Wilson."
Sydney chuckled, "That isn't likely to happen. Just leave getting to Hawaii to me."
"Sydney…" Hannibal trailed off on his next argument as his men began filing out of the Officers' Club. He sighed. "Fine, we'll play it your way this time. But if there's anything you need, promise you'll come talk to me."
The warm smile that she directed at him was oddly gratifying. "I promise."
Murdock ambled up looking relaxed. But Hannibal recognized his pilot's sharp assessment as he scanned the scene. Then he offered them both a lazy grin.
"Nice night, huh, Colonel?" Turning to Syd, he said, "Did you have a good chat?"
Sydney nodded and then cast a grateful smile at Hannibal.
"Thanks for the pep talk, Colonel. I really appreciate it."
"Any time, Sydney," Hannibal said. "Remember, you can come to me with anything. I don't want you to feel that you're alone here."
With a chuckle, she nodded. "That's easy to forget when you spend a couple months in the boonies. Thanks for the reminder."
Face walked over. "We walking Syd back to her hooch?"
Hannibal nodded. "You kids enjoy the rest of your evening."
Watching as the three young people walked away, Hannibal was struck by the view. Murdock and Face flanked Sydney protectively, their tall, muscular forms a stark contrast to the petite, thin woman between them. He found it ironic that the little lady was so intent on protecting the strapping men who were trying very hard to protect her – ironic, admirable, and maybe just a tad frustrating. Hannibal smiled in satisfaction.
She fits right in.
kmc